Renewable donation helps keep pool afloat

Vital improvements to Kirkcudbright’s community swimming pool have taken a step forward following a donation from a wind energy company.

The pool, which is 100% community owned and operated, has received a £5000 grant for the replacement of gas boilers from Banks Renewables via the Banks Community Fund.

The Hamilton-based company has submitted plans to create Knockendurrick Wind Farm by erecting seven turbines east of Gatehouse of Fleet.

Colin Wyper, manager of the pool, said; “As a registered charity we are always on the lookout for new funding opportunities and were intrigued when we heard about the Banks Community Fund.

“After applying to the fund we were delighted to receive the good news that we had been granted the money and are now secure in the knowledge that the improvements to the pool will definitely go ahead.

“It’s fantastic to see a company like Banks Renewables putting its money where its mouth is and sticking to its commitment to make a real difference to people living around its sites.

“Although wind farms do seem to drum up a fair bit of bad press, when you have responsible developers like Banks willing to give something back it does make a difference.

“Personally I am glad to see that the Kirkcudbright area is considering such a project and I would like to thank Banks for the generosity it has shown to our community swimming pool.”

The Banks Community Fund provides funding for projects which show a community-wide public benefit. Since its beginnings it has granted £2.6 million in grants and benefited more than 80,000 people. In addition to the swimming pool, the fund has also donated money to one of Kirkcudbright’s oldest football club, St Cuthbert Wanderers.

Colin Anderson, development director at Banks Renewables, said: “As a completely community run venture, Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool is exactly the type of organisation our fund was designed to help.

“We are delighted to support the swimming pool as it provides jobs for the local community as well as catering for some 40,000 users each year.

“We have really appreciated the feedback we have received from members of the Kirkcudbright community on our development proposals and we will continue to ensure that we work in partnership with them as our plans progress.

Full details about the Knockendurrick Wind Farm can be found at the dedicated website, http://www.banksgroup.co.uk/knockendurrick/.